Nan van Blaricom

VAN BLARICOM, Nan
Age 69
Of Kalamazoo, Michigan Nan passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. She was born September 12, 1940 in Columbus, OH, the daughter of Robert and Janice Kirk van Blaricom. Nan attended Miami University Ohio and received a Bachelor's Degree from Western Michigan University. Like her mother, she was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She received her Minister in Religious Education degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. As a member of First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, Nan used her ministry background to help create the Stephen Ministry program. She served as coordinator of Stephen Ministry for many years. In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers called Stephen Ministers provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it. She loved to spend time with family and friends and travel as her health permitted. For 20 years, she had been the primary companion and caregiver to her mother, Janice. Born in Columbus, Ohio, she remained a lifelong fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and enjoyed watching the teams on TV when she could no longer attend games in person. Surviving are her mother, Janice van Blaricom; one sister, Tina Richard Jensen; two brothers, Dan Beverly and Kirk Judy van Blaricom; three nieces, Jana John Gregg, Clare Robert Colón, and Annie Kaperak; and four nephews, Jay Jensen, Wes Cathy van Blaricom, Tom van Blaricom, and Luke van Blaricom, and six grand-nieces and nephews, Madeline, Andrew, Tacy and Ethan Colón; Maren Gregg; and Danny Kaperak. The family is grateful for Dr. Douglas Vernon and Rev. Sandy Elfring and the staff of First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, the many caring doctors and nurses of Bronson Methodist Hospital, and Nan's dear friends, including Mrs. Sue Paul. Funeral services for Nan will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday at First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park Street, with Rev. Dr. Douglas Vernon and Rev. Sandra Elfring officiating, where friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services at the church. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest North Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church Stephen Ministry; Myasthenia Gravis Association of Michigan; and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.